This is an interview article with KR. KR’s responses are highlighted in blue.

This is an in-depth discussion about Ho’oponopono. Take a moment to read it with a calm mind.
Whether you are a seasoned practitioner, struggling with doubts, or new to cleaning, you will find inspiration here.

Recently, Xiaolin, the CEO of Awaken Life and a practitioner of cleaning for over 10 years, interviewed KR. Xiaolin posed four questions that are of great interest to cleaning practitioners:

1. What should we do when we don’t see the results of cleaning?
2. Why do some issues take longer to clean?
3. How can we clean our relationships with our children?
4. How can we clean for our New Year’s wishes?

This article features the first part of their conversation.

＜What should we do when we don’t see the results of cleaning?＞

── KR, I’m so happy to have the opportunity to interview you. I couldn’t sleep last night, imagining how our conversation today would unfold.
I still remember reading your book 12 years ago. At that moment, I felt a profound sense of longing in my heart—this was the lifestyle I wanted to live.
Back then, I had nothing—no ideal job, I was single, lacked a sense of self, lived according to others’ expectations, cared too much about what others thought of me, and looked down on myself. But yesterday, as I reread your book, I felt immense gratitude and joy. I realized that many aspects of my life now reflect the lifestyle you described. It has already become part of my life.
Being able to practice Ho’oponopono with you fills me with deep gratitude and joy. I can’t imagine what my life would be like today if I hadn’t encountered Ho’oponopono. To me, it feels like being given a second chance at life.
As we introduce Ho’oponopono to others, one of the most common questions beginners ask is: What should I do when I don’t see the results of cleaning? This often leads to a loss of motivation and confidence to continue cleaning.
However, for those of us who have been cleaning for a long time, we understand that Ho’oponopono is not a one-time process, nor are the results always what we envision.
How can we help beginners develop greater confidence and patience in cleaning?

Thank you, Xiaolin. There are a few key points to address here.

1. Cleaning does not guarantee the outcome you desire.

One important thing to understand is that Ho’oponopono does not work in a way where cleaning guarantees the outcome you want. For example, if you are struggling financially and you clean, it doesn’t mean you will necessarily receive more money. That’s not how Ho’oponopono works.

This leads to self-education—understanding what Ho’oponopono is and how it works. Those who have attended SITH class can revisit their materials. For those who haven’t, the official Ho’oponopono books are excellent resources.

The essence of Ho’oponopono is making a repentance and forgiveness. Understanding this is fundamental to understanding the practice.

2. The conscious mind’s perception is limited.

Another aspect of self-education involves understanding the Self, which comprises the conscious mind, subconscious mind, and superconscious mind.

The conscious mind, responsible for thinking, perceives only a fraction of what exists in the vast universe. For instance, we believe we understand what’s happening based on what we see or hear in the news. However, much of what occurs is beyond our awareness.

When we practice Ho’oponopono, we request the release of memories tied to the experiences or problems we perceive. While these situations may be unpleasant, we cannot consciously know where the cleaning energy travels in the universe or how it operates.

The results of cleaning are also beyond the conscious mind’s ability to anticipate or define. If we insist on believing that we know what the outcome should be, this is a form of arrogance—assuming we are smarter than the universe. Recognizing this is a valuable part of self-education.

3. Clean your memories without expectations.

I’ve met people who had no prior knowledge of Ho’oponopono, spent only an hour with me, and then left. They didn’t know how Ho’oponopono works, but they began their cleaning. They understood, “I am simply cleaning my memories, without expecting specific outcomes.”
Sometimes, the results of cleaning surpass what they originally hoped for.

＜Why do some issues take longer to clean?＞

── Yes, we often share this self-education with participants. Another question they frequently ask is: Why does cleaning seem to work so quickly for others, bringing about miraculous changes, while I’ve been cleaning for so long without seeing the results I want?

 What do you usually tell them in response?

── Sometimes, I say that everyone’s memories have different layers of depth.

That’s true. In some cases, it may indeed be due to this reason.

── How can we let go of expectations while cleaning? I’ve heard participants ask, “If I have no expectations, why would I practice Ho’oponopono? I must have some hope to resolve an issue; otherwise, why invest time in cleaning?”

This question highlights where our inner work lies. It’s a matter of looking within.

If someone tells me they don’t want to practice Ho’oponopono, I never insist they should. Instead, I explain that Ho’oponopono is like a carpenter’s toolbox—it’s there to help us navigate life. Each person decides whether or not to use it.

In Ho’oponopono, we say that nothing happens outside of us. This is a fundamental principle.

If someone feels frustrated with their life—perhaps they’ve lost money, gone through a divorce, or faced other challenges—this is simply where they are at that moment. The choice is whether to point fingers and blame others for their circumstances.

When we practice Ho’oponopono, we approach ourselves with humility. Ho’oponopono is about us—how we choose to live our lives. That’s the perspective I want to share.